The Placebo Effect
I firmly believe in the power of the placebo effect.
I am 97% certain (margin of error =/- 3%) that Airborne, Emergen-C, echinacea and any number of other supplements and herbal remedies don’t do a damned thing for you. And yet, here I sit with a citrus-flavored effervescent drink fizzing beside me. Why?
Because in every cold there is a pivotal moment. In some cases, it’s that terrible moment of realization that you don’t feel quite right. In others, it’s the day that you realize that you’re the only one in the office who isn’t half-dead. It’s the feeling of inevitability. It’s way too early for NyQuil, or even Tylenol. It’s a horrible, powerless feeling, and you just want to do something to make you feel like you have some element of control over your body. This, I believe, is why Airborne and its compatriots exist.
And so I sit here, confident that thanks to this magical little cocktail, I will have a great day and wake tomorrow feeling good as new.
But because I’m also a realist, I’ll be stopping at the drug store to buy some NyQuil and tissues. Just in case.
